Sudoku Before the Start

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang was officially launched on Wednesday with a special children's press conference. Students from the HIB Saalfelden secondary school and the Nordic Ski Middle School Saalfelden had the unique chance to personally quiz Austria’s top mountain bikers Valentina Höll, Andreas Kolb, and Mona Mitterwallner – and managed to uncover some surprising insights.

From June 5 to 8, the world’s mountain biking elite will once again gather at the Epic Bikepark Leogang. The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series promises four adrenaline-filled days packed with technical skill and high-stakes competition. The World Cup in the Salzburg region is globally unique – it’s the only event where all three UCI formats — Downhill (DHI), Enduro (EDR), and Cross-Country (XCO/XCC) — are held at the same venue over one weekend.

 

Sudoku to Calm the Nerves: Vali Höll Shares Her Secrets at the Kids’ Press Conference
The kick-off was particularly heartwarming, thanks to the student-run press conference. Vali Höll revealed with a laugh that her favorite pre-race warm-up is solving Sudoku puzzles: “It helps me calm down and focus before the start.” Reflecting on her own school days, she added, “Back then, I had to do my homework on a bench at the bike park before I was allowed on the track. My parents would hit the trails without me until I was done.”

Now, being able to answer questions from students at her former school feels like a full-circle moment: “Back then, I always had to explain my sport – now, the kids get to experience it firsthand. And the fact that HIB will offer a dedicated downhill program next year is just awesome.”

Höll recently celebrated a podium return with a second-place finish at the World Cup in Loudenvielle, France: “It was a tough race, so it feels great to slowly find my form again – even if I know there’s still room to improve. That race definitely set me up well for Leogang. The home World Cup is always more emotional. After a whirlwind of media duties, I’m feeling good, the weather’s great, and – as always – the organization in Leogang is top-notch.”

 

Pressure-Free and Focused: Andreas Kolb Returns to Leogang with a New Mindset
Andreas Kolb also appeared relaxed and upbeat, giving the students a glimpse into his pre-race ritual: “Before heading into the start hut, I take a moment to enjoy the view of the mountains – it helps me center myself.”

After winning in Leogang in 2023, he’s approaching this year’s race with a different mindset: “Last year, I was super nervous and felt like I had to defend my title. This year, I’m much more relaxed and not one of the top favorites – which is actually a huge motivator for me. I’m stoked to be racing here again. The course suits me – it’s fast, technically demanding, and I know the terrain really well. I’m not quite at 100% yet, but I’m close. The next run could be the breakthrough. My equipment’s dialed in – everything’s working perfectly. Now I’m just looking forward to the race weekend.”

 

From Comeback Win to Home Race: Mona Mitterwallner Ready for Leogang
Fresh off her World Cup victory in Nove Mesto, Mona Mitterwallner is especially excited for the physically demanding Leogang course and the return of Cross-Country racing to the venue: “I’m really proud of my last race – especially since I was in 32nd place after the start and fought my way back up the field.”

But Leogang presents a totally different challenge: “It’s much less tactical and extremely physical. There are barely any flat sections, no drafting, and almost no recovery zones – which plays to my strengths because I love pushing my limits. The long, steep climbs under the ski lift are especially tough – and I love that.”

The action kicks off Friday (June 6) with the downhill qualifiers and the explosive Short Track (XCC). Saturday (June 7) features the highly anticipated downhill finals on the legendary Speedster course, where local hero Vali Höll will aim for a third consecutive home win. The sporting highlight on Sunday (June 8) includes the grueling cross-country races featuring Austrian stars Laura Stigger and Mona Mitterwallner, along with the thrilling Enduro competitions across Austria’s largest bike region: Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn.

 

Stress-Free and Sustainable Travel
A free, secure bike parking area next to Hotel Rivus encourages guests to cycle from their accommodation or home to the Epic Bikepark Leogang. Regular shuttle buses between Saalfelden and Hochfilzen make getting to the venue easy and convenient. Those relying entirely on public transport can reach Saalfelden Leogang via major hubs like Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, and Klagenfurt. Free regional travel within the state of Salzburg is included in every event ticket. For those unable to attend in person, the event app and live broadcasts on ServusTV, Eurosport, Discovery+, and MAX ensure fans won’t miss a moment.